Antwerp as key driver of the Belgian economy
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp is your gateway to the world. Our international operation brings you into contact with entrepreneurs all over the world. Thanks to our network of experts we are at your service to advise and assist you with all of your international questions and concerns. Moreover, you will get access to trade missions, inspiration tours and other international activities.
Antwerp, a gateway to Europe
The Antwerp region central location means it’s ideally positioned in Northwest Europe which, although it constitutes only 10% of the continent’s territory, harbors 10% of the European population and thus produces 40% of its GDP. This makes Antwerp an excellent hub for regular goods flow, but also for energy distribution, logistics and e-commerce platforms, circular economy and all sorts of industrial activities. 60% of Europe’s purchasing power resides within a 500 km radius of Antwerp.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to the largest integrated (petro)chemical cluster in Europe. The combination of an advanced logistics platform and availability of highly skilled and productive workers make the port area all the more interesting for international investors. In the past decades, the benefits of this cluster and this high specialization have notably made the chemical sector extremely attractive. The historical presence of a diamond centre in the heart of the city also helps boost Antwerp’s international appeal.
cooperation
If our companies are to remain internationally competitive, they must innovate continuously. This is happening more and more in partnerships. Collaboration between companies, collaboration between sectors and especially collaboration between companies, knowledge institutions and the government.
Our Technology Houses Kamp C and the University of Antwerp Science Park occupy a central place. We bring the university, colleges and knowledge institutions (VITO, Innotek …) and our SMEs closer together. This also translates into closer interprovincial cooperation, both on cleantech and on smart specialization within the spearhead sectors.
PARTNERS
Our natural partners are the cities and municipalities and their intermunicipalities, but also the Flemish and European governments. Our allies are the entrepreneurs, the sector and professional federation and the social partners. Both within the Regional Socio-Economic Consultation Committees (RESOC) and within the Talent Houses. The knowledge institutions, the Flemish provinces and the Dutch provinces within the Flemish-Dutch Delta, are our companions.
